Current Nifty Lot Size (65) & Bank Nifty (30) - Jan 2026

If you are trading in the Indian derivative markets today, the "old" rules no longer apply. As of January 1, 2026, the NSE has fully transitioned to the new lot size regime. Whether you are calculating your margin for a Nifty option trade or adjusting your hedge ratio for Bank Nifty, using the correct lot size is critical to avoiding order rejection or unintended over-exposure.

Below is the current, official lot size table for all major indices, including Nifty, Bank Nifty, and Sensex, effective for the January 2026 expiry and beyond.

Current Index Lot Sizes (Effective Jan 2026) 

Note:

• The Nifty Next 50 (NIFTYNXT50) contract continues with the same lot size of 25, with no change announced.
• *SENSEX: While the NSE indices saw a reduction in lot sizes this January, the BSE Sensex remains at 20. The asterisk denotes that this lot size was increased from 10 earlier in 2025 following a regulatory review to align its contract value with its peers.

Notes:

• Nifty Next 50 (NIFTYNXT50) continues with the same lot size of 25, with no change announced.
• SENSEX: While NSE indices saw lot size reductions in January 2026, BSE Sensex remains at 20.
  *The asterisk denotes that Sensex lot size was increased from 10 to 20 earlier in 2025 after a regulatory review to align contract values with peer indices.

Expiry Cut-Off: What Changed and When

The transition is now complete, but it’s important to understand how contracts were handled during the changeover.

• All weekly and monthly contracts expiring up to December 30, 2025 traded with the old lot sizes
• All contracts expiring January 2026 onward reflect the revised lot sizes
• All existing quarterly and half-yearly contracts, regardless of when they were introduced, were revised to new lot sizes after the December 2025 monthly expiry

In simple terms, December 2025 expiry was the final boundary between the old and new lot structures.

Q1 2026 Quarterly Expiry Cycle: What Traders Must Know

With the transition completed, all Q1 2026 quarterly index derivative contracts follow the new lot sizes without exception.

Quarterly Expiries in Q1 2026

• January 2026
• February 2026
• March 2026 (Quarter-ending expiry)

All three quarterly contracts—especially March 2026, which carries the highest open interest—use:

• Nifty: 65
• Bank Nifty: 30
• FINNIFTY: 60
• MIDCPNIFTY: 120

There are no legacy contracts with older lot sizes remaining in the system for Q1 2026.

March 2026 Expiry: Key Trading Notes

March 2026 is the first full quarter-ending expiry operating entirely under the new lot size regime. This has a few important implications:

• Lower notional exposure per lot compared to March 2025
• Recalibrated hedge ratios for traders rolling from older long-dated positions
• Option writers may notice changes in:
  • Margin efficiency
  • Breakeven distances
  • Quantity-based risk limits
• Institutional and spread traders should expect liquidity to consolidate faster in March contracts due to uniform lot sizing across all expiries

For traders rolling positions from December 2025 or earlier long-dated contracts, quantity adjustments—not just strike selection—were critical.

Why Lot Sizes Keep Changing

Lot sizes are reviewed periodically to ensure that the notional value of derivative contracts remains manageable as index levels change over time.

This helps:

• Keep contracts accessible for a wider set of traders
• Improve risk containment
• Prevent excessive capital concentration per lot
• Maintain market efficiency and liquidity

The revised lots bring down exposure per contract, especially in Bank Nifty and Midcap Nifty, where absolute contract values had grown significantly.

What This Means for Traders Going Forward

1. Lower Exposure per Contract

With smaller lot sizes, each contract now represents slightly lower market exposure, which can be helpful for risk-controlled trading.

2. Changes in Position Sizing

If you trade fixed quantities (for example, 2–3 lots), your overall exposure and payoff profile will change from January onwards.

3. Option Selling & Hedging Adjustments

Option sellers should reassess:

• Hedge ratios
• Quantity-based risk limits
• Margin deployment

Even a small lot size reduction can impact payoff symmetry and breakeven levels.

4. Spread Traders: Take Note

Certain day spread order books will not be available for specific contract combinations around the transition period, which is relevant for traders running calendar or spread strategies

What Traders Should Do Now

With the change now close at hand, traders should:

• Review any open quarterly or long-dated positions
• Clearly differentiate December expiry contracts vs January contracts
• Check broker platforms for updated lot sizes and margin requirements
• Avoid quantity mismatches while rolling over positions

What is the current Nifty lot size in 2026?

As of January 2026, the Nifty 50 lot size is 65. This applies to all weekly, monthly, and quarterly contracts, including the March 2026 quarterly expiry.

What is the Bank Nifty lot size now?

The current Bank Nifty lot size is 30, reduced from 35 earlier. This lot size is applicable for all expiries from January 2026 onward.

When did Nifty and Bank Nifty lot sizes change?

The revised lot sizes became effective from January 1, 2026.
All contracts expiring up to December 30, 2025 traded with the old lot sizes, while January 2026 and later expiries reflect the new structure.

Does the new lot size apply to March 2026 expiry?

Yes. The March 2026 quarterly expiry fully uses the new lot sizes:

• Nifty: 65
• Bank Nifty: 30
• FINNIFTY: 60
• MIDCPNIFTY: 120

There are no legacy lot sizes for any Q1 2026 quarterly contracts.

Is the Nifty lot size different for weekly, monthly, and quarterly contracts?

No. From January 2026 onward, the lot size is uniform across all expiries—weekly, monthly, and quarterly—for each index.

Why did NSE reduce Nifty and Bank Nifty lot sizes?

Lot sizes are revised periodically to keep contract values manageable as index levels rise. The 2026 changes aim to:

• Reduce per-lot capital exposure

• Improve risk management

• Make derivatives more accessible

• Maintain liquidity and market efficiency

Did Sensex lot size also change in 2026?

No. The Sensex lot size remains at 20 in 2026.
It was increased from 10 to 20 earlier in 2025, and no further changes were announced alongside the January 2026 NSE revisions.

Has Nifty Next 50 lot size changed?

No. Nifty Next 50 (NIFTYNXT50) continues with a lot size of 25, with no revisions announced.

How does the new lot size affect option sellers?

Option sellers may see changes in:

• Margin requirements
• Hedge ratios
• Quantity-based risk limits
• Breakeven calculations

Lower lot sizes slightly reduce per-contract exposure but require recalibration of quantity-driven strategies.

Will margin requirements reduce due to lower lot sizes?

Margins may reduce per lot, but total margin depends on:

• Number of lots traded
• Strike selection
• Volatility
• Broker risk policies

Traders should always verify margin requirements on their trading platform before placing orders.

Do I need to change quantities while rolling over positions?

Yes. Rolling over positions from pre-2026 contracts without adjusting quantities can lead to:

• Over-hedging or under-hedging
• Incorrect exposure
• Margin mismatches

Always re-check lot sizes before rollover trades.